Castor school help raise over 2k for brain tumour charity with virtual fun run

The 5k fun run took place last weekend (October 17-18), when the Great Eastern Run was scheduled to take place.

The event was organised after the cancellation of the annual Anna’s Hope fun run, which forms part of the Great Eastern Run Sunday.

Over 60 adults and children took to the streets or Ferry Meadows to run, jog, walk or scoot the five kilometre distance and to share their support for the charity; many took part dressed as fairies, superheroes and knights.

The total raised, including Gift Aid, currently stands at £2,300, with every penny raised going to support the work of Anna’s Hope.

The charity was set up by Carole Hughes, following the tragic death of her three-year-old daughter, Anna, due to a brain tumour in 2006. The charity supports families and children with brain tumours to achieve their full potential through specialist neuro-rehabilitation.

Event co-organiser, Aimee Fionda, said: “In these times of Covid it has been great to do something so positive for a local charity.

“Each year we enter a community team into the Anna’s Hope fun run and love seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they cross the finish line.

“We know how important the money we raise is in helping children with brain tumours and so wanted to find a way to keep up the tradition and help Anna’s Hope at same time.

“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the local community and cannot thank each and every person who took part or sponsored the team enough for helping us to raise such an amazing amount of money.”

Castor CE Primary school headteacher, Nick Brompton, added: “This was an absolutely incredible effort from all those involved, from our children and their families through to school governors – every single photograph has a smile on it.

“At a time when our appreciation of the outdoors has never been so great, to be able to get out, enjoy the fresh air and raise so much money for this wonderful charity is amazing. Well done to all involved, another example of why our school community is so special.”

Co-founder of Anna’s Hope, Carole Hughes, said “Castor School and the local community have been amazing supporters of Anna’s Hope over the years and their support this year has been very special.

“To have raised over £2300 is amazing and every penny will fund three month’s specialist neurorehabilitation for six children with a brain tumour.

“A huge thank you to all those involved.”

For more information on Anna’s Hope, you can visit their website at https://annas-hope.co.uk